What should I look for when choosing my wedding photographer ? Session 2. What style is right for you?

In this section on choosing your wedding photographer we look at selecting the style that suits you best: Do you want natural or old fashioned?

A socking great plate camera was never going to catch on for following you and your guests, so it was not until the advent of the slimmed-down 35mm camera that ‘lifestyle wedding photography’ (otherwise known as Reportage Wedding Photography or Photo-journalistic Wedding Photography, or several other names – which we will look at below) really caught on.

The formal style is still in vogue in some parts of the world, but in the UK and Europe it is the more freestyle approach that has taken the lead. Traditional wedding photographers tend to control the pace of the day, some take literally hours setting up shots, removing Auntie Joan and putting in cousin Gemma. For some this is fine, but others find it frustrating, and the results can be rather lacking in character.

A true professional wedding photographer will plan ahead, assess the lighting, plan shots, know when to let things move on a bit, will see that perfect moment building up. He or she will relate to the caterers, the florist, you, your guests in order  to capture artistic images which convey the atmosphere.

Quite often brides-to-be are confused as to the style of wedding photography they’d like. To help remove that confusion, this article provides a simple guide to the different styles available; this will help you choose both the style of photography you would like – and also to choose your wedding photographer  I quote from WikiHow who puts it all very succinctly.

1.             Consider traditional wedding photography

This style of approach is characterized by a very formal approach. The image s are usually highly posed and will require a good deal of intervention from the photographer (unless the bride and groom are experienced models and know how to pose). Be aware that this style will impact you in the following ways:
◦                                  The photographer will work to a time line – often with specific shots being organised at a very specific time.
◦                                  In some cases – the photographer will seem like a film director on a movie set, constantly organising individuals into posed groups to produce a set of traditional wedding images.
◦                                  Although considered out of date by many, traditional style images will still appeal to the older generation, so older relatives of the bride & groom are likely to be happier with this type of image.
◦                                  The downside for many modern brides is that the resulting images can appear very stiff and rigid – and so fail to fully convey the air of happiness and fun that is part of many modern ceremonies.
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2.    Consider contempory wedding photography
This style is characterised by a far greater degree of informality and a more relaxed approach by the photographer. This can result in a greater level of spontaneity and is capable of capturing the spirit of fun, as well as some of the more formal elements – as the photographer will not be posing people to the same degree:
◦                                  There is less need for the photographer to intervene – much less of the photographer as Director of the movie of your day.
◦                                  This style is likely to produce a unique record of your day – no two weddings will look exactly the same. As a result, this style has gradually gained in popularity in comparison to the more traditional approach.
◦                                  The photographer will seek out great backgrounds and settings which can result in a stylised set of images which may resemble to a degree the kind of images you may see in a fashion magazine.
Consider reportage or documentary photography
 
This style is characterised by an extremely hands-off approach by the photographer who will record the events of your big day as they happen in the manner of a fly-on-the-wall documentary television crew. Much of the time – the photographer will essentially be in the background; you may not even be aware of his presence! There will be very little in the way of posing or organising of individuals and groups. For this reason – this style is increasingly popular with brides today – as it does allow a lot of freedom of movement and the bride and groom are essentially left to enjoy their big day. This style of photography:
◦                                  Is likely to produce a very candid record of your wedding with a high proportion of unusual shots that you probably would not expect from traditional or contemporary styles.
◦                                  If you have been posed for all your photographs – then you essentially have already seen the images – and there will be none of the ‘wow’ factor that you may get from a reportage image of you and the groom in an unguarded kiss or embrace.
◦                                  Reportage photography has a great deal to offer but inevitably – the drawback is that you simply cannot be sure what you may get in the end!
5.    Consider artistic wedding photography

This, as the name implies, is led by the individualism of the ‘Artist’ or photographer. This style is therefore characterised by its ability to produce a unique set of images from your big day. Depending on the photographer – there may be a great deal of intervention – or there may be none. The only way to assess if this style suits you is by checking out the portfolios of particular photographers to see if their style is going to appeal. This type of photography can produce cutting edge and stunning wedding photographs as a superb and individualised record of your big day. It may well be considered a little risky by some brides.

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To ensure your confidence in our wedding photography we offer the pre-wedding shoot before you sign the contract.

Call us for details 01747 830123, or complete the enquiry form.